Track-cleaning attachment for loading machines



Aug. 14. 1928. 1,581,089

E. BOTTOMLEY ET AL TRACK CLEANING ATTACHMENT FOR LOADING M CHINES Filed Sept. 7', 192? 2 Sheets-$heet 1 Inventor Fem/22'] 02 2 5271767 E-awZ lK /CZ Aug 14. 1-928. 1,681,089

E. BOTTOMLEY ET AL TRACK CLEANING ATTACHMENT FOR LOADING MACHINES Filed Sept. 192? 2 sheets-sheet 2 Inventor Patented Aug. 14, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TRACK-CLEANING ATTACHMENT FORi DOADIN Gr MACHINES.

Application filed September 7, 1927. Serial No. 218,084.

The present invention relates to an attachment for loading machines such as run along railroad tracks and the like, and has for its prime object to provide a structure a which is capable of cleaning the tracks as the loading machine progresses forwardly.

A. further and important object of the invention resides in the provision of an attachment of this nature which is simple in its construction, inexpensive to manufacture, strong and durable, thoroughly efficient and reliable in operation, and otherwise well adapted to the purpose for which it is designed.

With the above and numerous other objects in view as will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in certain novel features of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the drawing Figure 1 is an elevation of our attachment on a conventional loading machine,

Fig. 2 is a. top plan view of the central plate,

Fig. 3 is a front edge elevation thereof,

Fig. 4 is a top plan View of one of the side plates,

Fig. 5 is a front edge elevation thereof, and

Fig. 6 is a side edge elevation thereof.

Referring to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that in Fig. 1, we have illustrated fragmentarily the front portion of a conventional coal loading machine of the Joy type. Our attachment is mounted on what is known as a gathering head 5 of the loading machine. The attachment comprises a central plate 6 and a pair of side plates 7. The central plate 6 is oblong transversely and has its rear portion mounted on the front central portion of the gathering heads 5 and secured thereto by suitable fastening elements 8. The forward corners of the central plate 6 are bent upwardly to provide forward side wings 9.

Each side plate 7 is of oblong construction transversely and has its outer side edge curved upwardly as is indicated at 10, while the forward inner corner thereof is bent upwardly to provide a wing 11 corresponding to the adjacent wing 9. There will be one wing 9 and one wing 11 on each side of the rail, as is clearly illustrated in Fig. 1.

As the loading machine moves forwardly fully over the track, and the heavy steel plates are properly mounted so as to ust skim over the surface of the ties, these plates will scoop up the refuse along the roadway, and the gathering arms 13 which operate on revolving disks 1 1 will gather the material back onto the conveyor 15, where it is carried to the rear of the machine and deposited into mine cars, not shown. I

The plates on the gathering head may be made adjustable so as to suit the difi'erent sizes of tracks, for instance, sixty pound steel, is much higher from the ties than thirty pound steel, the larger rails requiring the plates to project a little farther below the gathering head of the machine. The sizes and dimensions, however, are not of the essence of the invention.

From the above detailed description, it will be seen that we have devised an exceedingly simple attachment for a coal loading machine or other like machines, said attachment being thoroughly efficient and reliable in use, yet it may be manufactured at a low cost, and be made thoroughly strong and durable.

The present embodiment of the invention has been disclosed in detail merely by way of example, since in actual practice it attains the features of advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention, and the above description. It will be apparent that changes in the details of construction, and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to with out departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed, or sacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as newis 1. In combination, a coal loading machine, said machine comprising among other elements a gathering head, a central plate fixed to the gathering head and projecting forwardly therefrom, and a plate attached to each side of the gathering head in spaced relation to the central plate, the forward end corners of the central plate being directed upwardly, the forward inner corners of the side plates being bent upwardly.

2. In combination, a coal loading machine, said machine comprising among other elements a gathering head, a central plate fixed to the gathering head and projecting outer ends of the side plates being curved forwardly therefrom, and a plate attached upwardly.

to each side of the gathering head in spaced In testimony whereof We affix our signa- 10 relation to the central plate, the forward tures.

end corners of the central plate being directed upwardly, the forward inner corners EDlVARD BOTTOMLEY.

of the side plates being bent upwardly, the FRANK WELCH. 

